A marathon runner who has raised £30,000 for us in memory of her father is urging people to join her at our newest event – our Forget Me Not Walk.
We have chosen Shrewsbury’s The Quarry for what will be a poignant walk down memory lane on Sunday 19 May.
The emotional event will give those taking part the chance to remember loved ones while supporting our work to help us raise £2 for every £3 we spend.
The forget me not is the symbol of love and memory and we often use it as an emblem to reflect thoughts for lost loved ones.
Among those walking in memory will be Julie Davies, who has been supporting us since her father Jim Lloyd died at Severn Hospice and has become an event ambassador.
The 43-year-old hairdresser, from Oswestry, is now urging people to register and take part in the 5km walk.
To join Julie and our other event ambassadors at the Forget Me Not Walk on Sunday 19 May click here.
She said: “I’m doing the Forget Me Not Walk in memory of my father who died just shy of his 65th birthday. I think about my dad every day.
“It’s so hard to put the experience my dad, Jim, had at Severn Hospice into words – it’s such a peaceful and tranquil place.
“He was a kind, gentle, caring and funny man, always putting our family first and would do anything for us four children.
“I’d like to see you join me on the day, to take a moment to remember our loved ones who are sadly no longer with us while supporting the incredible work of the hospice.
“Joining in with events like this means we can help give other families the chance to have the care and support that my dad was lucky enough to receive.”
Julie’s dad Jim worked as a self-employed taxi driver and was popular within the community in Oswestry.
He died in May 2013 from bowel cancer after spending four days at our hospice in Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury.
Since his passing, Julie has ran the London Marathon every year – excluding 2016 – and is training to take on the challenge again on April 28 – just weeks before the Forget Me Not Walk.
She says her experiences of the hospice were completely different to what she had expected.
“The memories I have of the time at the hospice will stay with me forever,” she added. “It’s a level of care I don’t think you can get anywhere else.
“I used to think a hospice was just somewhere you went to die as I had never had any experience of one beforehand. It is so much more than that.
“I will continue to raise money for them as long as I can – not only in dad’s memory but also so the charity can be there in future for families when they need it.”
Our first ever Forget Me Not Walk will help fund comforting care and emotional support to people living with an incurable illness in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.
The event will start at 11am and entry costs £15 for adults, £5 for a child under 15 while children under five go free. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is £35.
Sign up for our Forget Me Not Walk on Sunday 19 May click here.
